Sunday

Review | Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer

I finally upgraded to a decent camera last week and this is my first post with the fruits of its labour. I'm totally clueless with it and have just been keeping it on auto, so hang in there until I get time to read the manual or watch a few YouTube tutes. All I can say is that I'm loving it for low light conditions. My trusty old Panasonic Lumix TZ7 is still fabulous for daytime macro shots, but struggles at elegantly lit events.

Anyway, I'm here to wax lyrical about my love for this new primer kid on the block. At the blogger launch event last week at the Waldorf Astoria I walked in expecting it to be some sort of Nanoblur knock off. I haven't tried Nanoblur and despite giving it to my mum for Christmas she hasn't broken into the tube yet. Call me crazy but I think she was insulted by the gift! Nanoblur is apparently water based while Perfect Blur is Silicone based, and with my limited scientific knowledge I'm assuming that this means it's smoother. Comparing it to L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer, Benefit Porefessional and Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector, I prefer Garnier Perfect Blur to all of them.

It's super smooth and has a really mousse-whipped consistency. I first tried it OVER make up (liquid and powder foundation) and was astounded when it actually worked to smooth things out, mattify and generally freshen up my look. This was one of Nanoblur's claims that I was very skeptical about, but Perfect Blur delivers on this. Under make up it's even better, I love how velvety it makes my skin feel. We were given small tubs of the stuff and I've reached for it every day before applying make up. What I really love it for is lazy days when all I want to do is moisturise, Perfect Blur and cover up with powder. It gives a super smooth and flawless finish to my skin without having to touch my liquid foundation.

While it initially mattifies my skin, it doesn't keep it matte for very long. Silicone-based products always leave me a bit shiny after an hour or so. The best thing about it for me is it lessens the appearance of pores and fine lines on my forehead.

The lovely Suzy Rycroft did my make up (final photo) - she's worked with Alex Box in the past, you can check out here website here (suzyrycroft.com), she's majorly talented.

Hi Robyn, I really love this stuff, and you get a stonking great tube of it for the money too. I've got it on again today and I think the only thing about it is that after a few hours wear, you're oilier than you may be normally, but that can always be blotted away, and it's more important to have flawless pores I think!

I've got those pesky fine lines under my eyes too, and while Perfect Blue does help a little with them, I think it works better on fine lines elsewhere. Anyway, worth trying some if you're near a Boots.